Honeycomb cell uncapping device



Nov.`4, 1941. A. sToLLER HONEYCOMB CELL UNCAPPING DEVICE Filed April 15, 1941 6 sheets-sheet 1 19|? QN ww, QN* nr Qu uw M QM, NUAJ. NW1 www ll! mw kum., #9, L, M.

Filed April l5, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q@ mm WMY INVENTOR.

Nov. 4; 1941. l. A. .sToLLR l 2,261,529V HONEYCOMB CLL UNGAPPING. DEVICE FiledV April l5, 1941 I 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 ll lI zdaszozzer,

INVENTOR.

Nov. 4, 1941. l. A. s-roLLER HoNEYcoMB CELL 4UNCAPPING DEVICE Filed April 15, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

Nov. 4, 1941.

Filed April 15, 1941 G'Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 4, `1941. l, A STOLLE'R 2,261,529

HONEYCOMB CELL' UNGAPPING DEVICE Filed April l5, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 05 .ZUZZJSZOZZe 7^, N JNVENToR. I

Patented Nov. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT 'OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine designed for uncapping the cells of comb honey, preparatory v'to removing the honey therefrom.

Anv important object of the invention is to provide a device of this character embodying a pair of rapidly reciprocating'heated knife blades between' which the honeycombs are fed, the blades operating to remove the wax which caps thecells vof the comb, whereby the honey may be extracted from the Aopen cells, by the well known method noW in common use.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a movable carriage adapted to feed the combs tothe blades of the machine, means being provided on the carriage for automatically locking the combs in the carriage as the carriage moves towards the knives.

A still further object of the invention is the provision'of means for opening the blades, as the upper ,bar ofthe comb frame moves .through the blades, the blades beingheld in suchopen position until theca'rriage moves downwardly a predetermined distance.

Still another `object of the invention is the provision of means whereby the opening of the blades to permit the passage of the honeycomb therebetween, may be timed, adapting the device for use in uncapping the cells of honeycombs of various thicknesses. 1

With` the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it

being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational View of a honeycomb cell uncapping machine, constructed in accordance with the invention. k

` Figure 2 is a plan View thereof, and illustrating the carriage-operating handles as in their open positions.

' Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1. y f

Figure 4 is sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1.

' Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken on line G+S of Figure 1.`

line --5 Figure'7 is a sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Figure 6. .Y

Figure 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the carriage, illustrating the comb-locking arms asin their open positions.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig11re`8. y f Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating Ythe lcomb-locking arms as in their active positions, locking the comb within theV carriage.v

"Figure 11 is a 'fragmental detail view illustrating .the means for moving the blades youtwardly to clear thecomb bar at the initial movement of the carriage and frame.

Figure 12 is a fragmental sectional view illustrating the interior ofone ofthe blades.`

Figure 13 is a sectionalview taken on line l3-I3 .of Figure 12.

Figure Vlfl'is a sectional view through the' gear. housing of the machine. j YFigure 15 is a sectional View I`5-l`5 of Figure 14. v Y

Referring to the drawings in detail, the frame of .the machine comprises spaced parallel bars 5 connected at one of their respective ends'by the `bar 6. Bearings indicated at 'l are mounted at one end of the frame, and accommodate the parallel shafts 8 which are preferably hollow, and which support the blades 9 at points intermediate the ends thereof.

Inwardly inclined supporting bars 8 extend from the bars 5 and engage the shafts 8, holding the shafts against vibrating while in operation.

The opposite ends `of the shafts 18 extend taken on through plates Il) and are bolted thereto, as byv means of the nuts il,

Y butjpermitted 'to rotate slightly.

Each of the plates IUjis connected with a pair o f rods* l2 that move through bearings I3 form-l ing a part ,of the bar I3vifltted in a slot formed in one wall of the gear housing I4, the innerl ends o f the rods |.2'being engaged by the cam shaft 'I5 operating within the 'gear housing, the cam shaft being operated by means of the motor lli mounted at one end of the frame.y Stops I3?, er? Secured to, .the innerends 0f the rods l2 and' provide Ybearings's .gfainstwlfiic'h the,v springs l2?"v engage, the opposite' ends of the springs engaging the plate lzlbpthat slides on the bearings I3. Adjusting screws It?, extendthrough the front wall of the gear housing i4 and engage said plate, to the end that the tension ofthe springs l2?, may-be' regulated." Theshaft l5 carries a' pulley il at one end thereof, Awhich pulley rec eives motion from the motor '16, through the pulley |8 and belt I9 operating over the pulleys I1 and |8. Pipes indicated at 20 extend up- 'wardly from the hollow shaft 8, and communicate with the interior thereof. These pipes afford means whereby iiexible hose connections, 'may be made between the hollow shafts 8 and a suitable source of steam supply, so that the steam may nd its way into the hollow blades 9, as shown by Figure 12 of the drawings, maintaining the blades hot or at a predetermined temperature to cause them to heat the wax of the comb under treatment, so that the caps may be readily cut therefrom. The steam outlet pipes are indicated at 2D. y

Mounted on the frame, is a yoke 2| through which the threaded rod 22 extends, the upper end of the rod 22 being supplied with an adjusting nut 23 which, when rotated, moves the rod 22 vertically, for purposes to be hereinafter more fully described. A spring finger 24 cooperates with the adjusting nut; 23 to hold the nut 23 in its positions of adjustment against vibrations of the machine.

Secured to the rod 22 is a triangular adjusting plate 25 which is so mounted that one of the corners of the plate extends downwardly so' that inclined edges are provided at opposite sides of the plate. Secured to the hollow shafts 8, and rising therefrom, are arms 26 that carry blocks 21 at their upper ends, the blocks 21 being normally urged towards the inclined edges of the adjusting plate 25, by means of the coiled springs 28 which act to normally draw the blocks 21 towards each other. Since the arms 26 are secured to the hollow shafts 8, it will be obvious that by operating the adjusting nut 23, the initial positions of the'blades 9, with respect .to each other, may be regulated to meet various requirements. For example, if substantially wide honeycombs are to be treated with the machine, it would only be necessary to operate the adjusting nut 23 to feed the plate 25 downwardly, thus expanding the coiled spring and moving the arms 26 away from each other. The blades 9, moving with the hollow shafts, are thus set or spaced the proper distance apart to take care of the particular type of honeycomb.

Secured to the' main frame of the machine, and

disposed adjacent to the ends thereof, are frames l 4 5c with bearings to accommodate the shafts 3U, .l

so that the heads may move freely throughout the lengths of the shafts 30. y

The heads 3| are held in spaced relation with each other, by means of the rod 32 which extends through openings in the lower ends of the heads 3|, as shown by Figure 8 of the drawings. The inner face of one of the heads 3| is formed with a groove 33 vhaving inclined side walls to engage the frame of the honeycomb positioned in the carriage. At the opposite side of the machine, the liead is provided with a movable jaw 34 which is formed with parallel flanges that have elongated openings 35 for the reception of the bolts 36 that secure the movable jaw to the head. Coiled springs 31 are seated in recesses formed in the head carrying the movable jaw,

accises the outer ends of the coiled springs resting against the inner surface of the movable jaw, urging the movable jaw outwardly towards the opposite head. The movable jaw is formed with a recessed forward edge, the walls thereof being inclined as at 38. Thus it will be seen that when a honeycomb frame is positioned between the heads, it will be held in position by the pressure of the springs 31, and since the recesses in which the comb frame is positioned, have inclined walls, it will be seen that the frames will be rmly gripped by the inclined walls wedging against the comb frame.

Extending inwardly from the upper end of each of the frames 29, is an ear 39 which is disposed directly over the arm 40 of the comb frame-engaging clamp 4| associated therewith. These clamps 4| are pivotally mounted and supported by the heads, so that the upper right angled ends 42 of the clamps will extend over the upper edge of the honeycomb frame being moved towards the blades of the machine. Coiled spring 43 are positioned between the heads 3| and arms 40 to normallyurge the upper ends of the arms inwardly towards the frame, as the carriage moves downwardly towards the blades.

In order that these clamps 4| may be adjusted to clamp honeycomb frames of various sizes, it will be seen that each clamp is made insections connected by means of the bolts 44. The sections have elongated openings so that they may be extended or retracted to lengthen or shorten the clamps at the will of the operator.

Thus it will be seen that when the heads 3| swing downwardly, the arms 40 will move away from the ears 39, and the upper or free ends of the clamps, will extend inwardly and grip the honeycomb frame. Secured to the outer edges of the heads 3|, are vertical bars 45 that are held in position by means of the bolts 46. 1

' The upper ends of these vertical bars 45 have pivotal connection with the arms 41 that have downwardly extended portions 48 connected by means of the rods 49, the pivotal connection between the arms 41 and main frame of machine, being made through the links 50 with the result that when the rods 4S are swung upwardly, the upper ends of the arms 41 will move downwardly,

, to the end that the comb-supporting carriage is also moved downwardly towards the blades. After the comb under treatment has moved through the blades, the rods 49 are swung downwardly elevating the comb above the blades or to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 of the drawings. As the rods 49 move inwardly towards the frame, they are gripped by the spring arms 5|, that hold the rods 49 in their inactive positions.

As shown by Figure 2 of the drawings, the hollow shafts 8, are Vmounted within their bearings to rotate, as well as reciprocate. The rotary movement of the shafts however, is controlled by the coiled spring 28 which normally tends to rotate the shafts inwardly towards each other,

Secured to the shafts 8, near the outer ends thereof, are upwardly extended arms 52 that have inwardly extended ends on which the rollers 53 are mounted. These rollers operate in parallel spaced relation with each other and are adapted to be engaged by the plate 54 that is adjustably mounted on the bar 55 carried by one of` the vertical bars 45, and held in spaced relation therewith, by means of the bolts 56 and spacers` 51 mounted on the bolts.

The lower side edges of the plate 54 are tapered downwardly, providing cam surfaces to engage between the rollers 53, moving the arms 52 outwardly with the result that theblades are moved away from each other, at a timejust prior to the movement of the upper barzof the honeycomb vframe, between the knives.' Thus it will be seen that the `blades clearthe upper bar of -the honeycomb frame to insure against the sharp edges of lthe blades being dulledby contact with the frame of the honeycomb.

'I'he length of the plate 54 is such that when the plate moves upwardly away from rollers 53, the uppermost bar I3' ofthe honeycomb `frame B has cleared the blades, and the blades will automatically move towards each other into cutting relation with the honeycomb to shave `oii the caps of the Various cells of the honeycomb leaving the cells open, sothat the vhoneymay be extracted therefrom. v 1' Parallel flanges are formed on the edges ofthe plate 54 and extend over the side edges of the bar 55 to prevent twisting of the plate 54 on the bar 55.

It might be further stated that the frame 29 at one end of the machine, is mounted on the bars 5 for adjustment longitudinally ofthe bars 5. This adjustment is accomplished by means of the bolts 58 that operate in elongated openings 59 formed in the bars 5, as clearly shown by Figure 1.

Mountings of the links 5U, and the levers 48 are also adjustable at at 60 and 6| respectively. All of these adjustments are made necessary by the adjustment Iof rod 32 to vary the distance between the heads 3l according to the width of the comb frames under treatment.

In the operation of the machine, the motor I6 is set in motion, causing the shafts 8 to reciprocate rapidly. A honeycomb frame carrying the honeycomb, is positioned between the jaws of the carriage, in a manner as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 of the drawings. The rods 49, which form the handles of the carriage-operating means, are now swung upwardly, with the result that the carriage moves downwardly carrying the honeycomb between the rapidly reciprocating blades. As the carriage moves downwardly, and before the honeycomb moves to a position opposite to the cutting edges of the blades, the clamps lswing inwardly over the upper edges of the honeycomb frame, securely locking the honeycomb frame within the carriage, holding the honeycomb frame against movement with respect to the carriage, under the action of the knife blades.

After the comb has passed between the blades, the handles are forced downwardly to the limits of their movements, Iand the carriage moves upwardly. As the carriage reaches the limit of its upward movement, the clamps 4l swing away from the honeycomb frame and assume Positions as shown in Figure 1, whereupon the frame may be readily removed from the carriage, and placed in the usual centrifugal honey extracting machine.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for uncapping the cells of honeycombs, comprising a frame, a pair of spaced horizontally reciprocating blades mounted on the frame, a vertically movable carriage mountedon the frame and embodying spaced jaws having vertical grooves,l said grooves being formed with inclined side walls between which a honeycomb is gripped, said carriage adapted to move between the, blades, and means for rapidly reciprocating the blades as vthe honeycomb moves therebetween.

2. A machine for-uncapping the cells of honeycombs, comprising a frame, a pairof horizontally' disposed reciprocating blades mounted within the frame, a carriage embodying spaced jaws, movable vertically between said blades, means for urging one of 'said jaws laterally towards the cooperating jaw in vgrippingra, honeycomb positioned between the jaws, and means for rapidly reciprocating the blades,` as the frame' and honeycomb move downwardly into cutting relation with the blades. Y

3. A machine for uncapping the cells of honeycombs, comprising a frame, a pair of spacedhorizontally disposed reciprocating blades mounted Aon. the vframe, ,al vertically movable carriage mounted on the frame and in which a honeycomb to be uncapped,-is positioned, said frame adaptedto move the comb between the blades in -cutting relation therewith,. pivoted clamping members carriedby the carriage and adapted to move over, the upperzedge ofa honeycomb frame positioned inthe carriage, clamping the Yhoney-,- comb frame within the carriage, and means for rapidly reciprocating the blades as the honeycomb moves therebetween.

4. A machine for uncapping the cells of honeycombs, comprising a frame, a pair of horizontally disposed reciprocating blades mounted within the frame and arranged in spaced relation with respect to each other, means for adjusting the blades regulating the space between the blades and adapting the device for use in connection with honeycombs of various thicknesses, a vertically movable carriage operating within the frame and within which a honeycomb to be uncapped is positioned, said carriage adapted to move the honeycomb through the space between the blades in cutting relation with the blades,

' and pivoted members mounted on the carriage and adapted to move over the upper edge of a honeycomb frame positioned within the carriage,

. clamping the honeycomb frame within the carriage.

5. A machine for uncapping the cells of honeycombs, comprising a frame, a pair of horizontally disposed reciprocating blades, mounted on the frame, said blades being arranged in parallel spaced relation with respect to each other, the cutting edges of the blades being disposed upwardly, a vertically reciprocating carriage, mounted on the frame, jaws forming a part of the carriage and between which a honeycomb frame is held, yieldable means connected with one of said jaws for moving said jaw into close engagement with the honeycomb frame mounted within the carriage, said carriage adapted to move the honeycomb supported therein, into cutting relation with the blades, and means for rapidly reciprocating the blades as the honeycomb moves therebetween, uncapping the cells of the comb.

6. A machine for uncapping the cells of honeycombs, comprising a frame, a pair of horizontally disposed reciprocating blades mounted on the frame, said blades having their cutting edges disposed upwardly, means for adjusting the blades towards and away from each other, a carriage movable within the frame and adapted to grip a honeycomb, said carriage adapted to move downwardly between the blades moving the honeycomb mounted therein into cutting relation with said blades, and means operated by the movement of the carriage for spreading the blades apart whereby the blades clear the frame of the honeycomb moved therebetween, and means for rapidly reciprocating said blades.

'7. A machine for uncapping the cells of honeycombs, comprising a frame, a pair of horizontally disposed reciprocating blades, mounted on the frame, means for adjusting the blades towards and away from each other varying the space between the blades, means for moving a honeycomb between the blades and in cutting relation with the blades, said means comprising a vertically movable carriage, and means operated by the carriage for spreading the blades apart at predetermined intervals.

8. A machine for uncapping the cells of honeycombs, comprising a frame, horizontally disposed spaced blades mounted within the frame and having their cutting edges disposed upwardly, a vertically movable carriage operating in the frame, said carriage adapted to receive a honeycomb and move the honeycomb between the blades in cutting relation therewith to uncap the cells of the honeycomb, pivoted members forming a part of the carriage and adapted to move over the upper edge of the frame of the honeycomb,I securing the honeycomb within the carriage, and means for moving the pivoted members away from the honeycomb frame, releasing the honeycomb, when the carriage reaches the limit of its upward movement.

9. A machine for uncapping the cells of honeycombs, comprising a frame, a pair of reciprocating blades mounted within the frame and arranged in parallel spaced relation with respect to each other, the cutting edges of the blades being disposed upwardly, means for moving a honeycomb between the blades, said means comprising a vertically movable carriage mounted on the frame, said carriage having its upper side open to receive a honeycomb, pivoted arms mounted on the carriage, yieldable members adapted to normally urge the arms into gripping relation with the honeycomb mounted within the carriage, and ears on the frame adapted to be engaged by the arms as the carriage moves to the limit of its upward movement, for moving the arms away from the honeycomb supported in the carriage, releasing the carriage.

IRVIN A. STOLLER. 

